The Independent Assurance Program (IAP) is a part of the Iowa DOT Quality
Assurance Program for Construction. Appendix A contains the details of
who is covered and what sampling and testing is covered in the program.

·Purpose of IAP— IAP is an unbiased and independent assessment
of all sampling, testing, and testing equipment. This assessment includes
evaluation of procedures and equipment used for the acceptance of highway
materials and construction. 23 CFR Part 637 requires each state to have an IA
Program.

·IAP is distinct from and not intended as an acceptance
process or for use in verification of contractor sampling and testing results.
IAP is distinct from and not intended for production quality control (QC)
purposes. If IAP results indicate a potential problem with quality, the results
may be used to initiate additional testing.

·IAP sampling shall be done in such a manner as to minimize
variability. In order to eliminate material and process variability, split
samples should be used. IAP samples may be taken independently of Agency verification
or Contractor/Producer QC samples, or may be a split of a verification or an QC
sample.

·Deficiencies in verification or QC processes that are
identified through the IAP program must be investigated and resolved.

·IAP is an essential tool that helps to ensure integrity
within the quality assurance (QA) program.

The IAP includes both system- and project-based approaches
defined as follows:

·Project
Approach. The frequency of IAP activities is based primarily on quantities
of materials being tested and requires minimums (as per IM 204) on every
project. For projects with small quantities, project IAP will not be
required:

HMA quantities less than 5000 tons

PCC paving quantities less than 5000 sq. yds.

PCC for structural and miscellaneous less than 50 cu.
yds.

Non-Proportioned Aggregate less than 5000 tons.

·System Approach. The frequency of IAP activities is based on time
intervals, regardless of the number of tests, quantities of materials, or
numbers of projects being tested by the individual and equipment being
evaluated. Each active technician should be checked at least 1 time per
year. For HMA, the Districts Laboratories perform proficiency testing monthly
during the construction season and field HMA laboratories perform proficiency
testing up to 3 times per construction season. If a significant
deficiency is observed for a technician, a later second check should be made.

Record keeping is required for all IAP observations and
tests. The record should include who and what was checked, when, where,
and the outcome of the check. An annual report is required by the FHWA
detailing the system approach program- how many people for each test were
checked, what was found, and how it was resolved. Also any systematic
issues should be detailed (i.e. problems with equipment or calibrations, need
for additional training, improvements in test procedure instructions.).